207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7lU0fkndN
Springtime came early for those living on the outskirts of the city. It had been a mild winter which was a207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmJWSk2B6b
rarity these days, but the citizens weren’t complaining. They still had piles207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEcffsyhZB
of firewood to save for the next year and they didn’t have to deal with their207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Oel8zBv3i
livestock’s deaths. They walked to work with a happy step and a jaunty tune.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUbmG6vu1O
They skirted the forest entirely for only fools went in there. Fools and207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkanDB4UWzG
Blades.
In the center of the forest, hidden from many unless you knew where to look, was a compound surrounded by207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQQgr5lfVd
massive wooden walls blemished from years of weather damage. Before it had been207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bmyzE8GtE
a stronghold where the King’s elite soldiers and guards trained, but now it was207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v93tkqU1W
a relic of times long past. No one had used it for five years since the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fnfKt5S80
incident, but now it was once again alive with the sounds of clashing swords207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb4ycry7Uj
and unhappy trainees.
For the past six months the newest class of incoming Blades lived, learned, and trained within these walls.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2HqlMmTOs
Becoming a Blade wasn’t an easy task. Many didn’t survive the year, some died207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWswcWmlrq
while others dropped out because it was too difficult. From there their either207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvrjHwZ0uu
went back home with their heads hung low, or they joined the army and swelled207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrGEyHR4Ck
the ranks of the worlds greatest military might.
Inside the singleton building, all the way in the room closest to the training ground, a man sat at his desk looking207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ebXMsIkdk
at a letter that had just arrived via carrier pigeon from the city. The pigeon207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB5TPuEJ0I
had flown off to rest in the hut on top of the building leaving the man to look207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JdodowSjd
it over.
Vander, a Blade captain who oversaw207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn7t21F5FS
this year’s recruits, stared at the official seal of the Blades on the back of207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CysRpeGK1
the letter. It was addressed to him.
Vander was in his twenty-fifth year of life and his eighth year as a Blade. He had been promoted to Captain a207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XRv38VwgI
year or so earlier before he left the city to come here for training. Unlike207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmBAii6S4C
other Eluvian’s, his hair was pure white, the color of snow. His light green207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgRW2yX81U
eyes, tired of staring at the letter, turned his head to investigate the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjndv2XdhoD
training grounds where his charges were training with the other Blade,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD5ef3Oj6b
Alexander, who instructed them in hand-to-hand combat.
Alexander was a giant of a man standing well over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad, his arms the size207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4Bh4L4IjB
of Vander’s head. Despite his size he was very nimble and scrappy in a fight.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKYd0nKAse
He was the perfect person to teach them how to fight using their bodies. Today,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxwoBXk2yW
despite the cool chill in the air, he wore a black tank top, black cargo pants,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYdKxog3KS
and military grade boots. He could hear the man shouting at them, but he207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RPkP9isHo
couldn’t tell what it was. Sighing, Vander turned back to the letter207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ujgJCEYwN
suppressing a shiver.
Only one person could have sent this letter. His grandfather, Charles, was the only person who knew where he207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeak26cuw8
was and had access to the seal. Whatever was in the letter, it wasn’t good.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqWDcBuJI1
Despite once being close, after the incident several years ago, they two of207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGzq5qjup2
them had barely said a word to each other. The way his only living family207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWYGrPV7TW
member had turned his back on him stung, but he stuck around because this was207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnAdZERxQc
the only life he knew.
He turned to look at his bed where a massive white wolf stared at him with concern in her eyes. Shea tilted her head207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DdRvydpA8
slightly to the right. Deciding that she was right, Vander put the letter down207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEG2sMby7Q
convincing himself that it could wait until later. He grabbed his jacket from207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE1ybvs3n1
the back of the chair and walked out of the room leaving the door open long207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZt6xG35h7
enough for Shea to snake her way through the opening.
He put the jacket on to protect himself against the cool springtime air as he left the building. The jacket was207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJnilFWWiH
a status symbol that marked him as one of the Blades, Eluvia’s elite soldiers207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWeO5kAcjY
whose main job these days was to protect the royal family, the Elan’s, who207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3as5fgKR61
ruled all of Eluvia. It was teal colored with two black bands going down the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oTy6VVWSD
front and along the bottom trim. It came down all the way to his knees and207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQIWERL11s
there was a small slit where the hilt of his sword could poke out when he207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkirHQGp9Z1
decided to wear it. There was a red arm band attached to the left side marking207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKv18KG7Cj
his rank as Captain. His black boots crushed the blades of grass under foot as207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAz7MRCxLi
he walked towards Alex. Shea trotted off towards a tree so she could rest in207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnfR1DjWYa
the shade as her master did his duties.
Alex acknowledged him with a slight nod of his head, but he soon turned back to watch the trainees practice207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1a8uqS0ta
their wrestling moves on one another. They were practicing pins, which wasn’t207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlABhjF3FAS
useful in fighting for one’s life, but when it came down to capturing suspects207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LkJo7xFkr
or criminals, it would become very helpful to learn. It would also help them207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz21hbQQuA
use muscle groups they didn’t normally use it their training.
“How’s everything coming?” Vander asked. He stood with his hands held behind his back, his eyes or demeanor207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe8yNaVllQ
giving nothing away.
“We are lucky we have six more months to get them ready.” Alex grunted. His critical eyes gazed over the pairs207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVhTwbccRt
with irritation. “They have come a long way since we’ve first come here, but207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFigYvR7TJO
their progress is still slower than I would like.”
Vander watched as the siblings Rooster and Chicken squared off against each other. Rooster was bigger and207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ8f8JWugZ
stronger than his sister, but she was quick moving. Several times she was able207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ji57iOZLn
to take his back and get him to tap out before he could even get her in a207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtIfcGK3pY
headlock where his size would have the advantage.
He wasn’t quite sure where the two of them had come from before making their way to Eluvia, but they were both dead207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtJfwYr2gO
set on becoming Blades. Chicken was younger than they would have liked as they207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nb3yL0tMN
only accepted those between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, but her207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZqioHipkK
determination to join coupled with the fact that her brother wouldn’t leave her207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJVrFLBUXS
behind convinced him to take a chance with her. It appears it was starting to207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2nXD9Tac7
pay off.
“Alright,” Vander shouted. “That’s enough. You can rest for now.” Upon hearing his voice, the five of them relaxed207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvCSYAzHPR
and slumped to the ground. Rooster lay down facing the sky. He was breathing207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmicxtT0jaY
heavily, and his face was a bright red, likely from both exhaustion and207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2UnzJbmmy
embarrassment. His orange hair was plastered to his face clung there with207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ1IR5QVFg
sweat. His sister’s hair was a lighter shade of orange, but more freckles207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zZ8IVtqBg
dotted her face that his. She clapped him on the shoulder when she sat next to207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTCOHSwAE5
him.
The other three also sat down, but they kept their gaze focused on him. Eve, the defacto leader of the group, sat207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGmZu5zV9n
in front of them with her steel gray eyes locked on his. She was breathing207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIJseG4wNb
lightly after her practice as if she could have gone on for hours more while207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubKAYHkHox
the rest could barely stand. Her dark black hair was tied back in a ponytail.
Briar and Forest, he was unsure if they were siblings or not, sat next to each other their faces unreadable. They207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReyO7sFHwi
were both clearly exhausted, they had been paired up with Eve after all, but207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko1ddckTlu
their eyes hungered for more. Briar, the female, had light brown hair and brown207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wr1c9b9vY
eyes. She was a stand your ground kind of fighter. She didn’t care who she was207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR2ASmdifA
up against, she would throw hands with anyone who looked at her funny.
Forest was her opposite. He wore his blonde hair sheared short; his blue eyes always looked for a way to take his207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x8SNaD6um
opponent off guard. He wasn’t above throwing dirty shots or tossing dirt at207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndsat5FKSq
your face. He did whatever it took to win, even if many believed his tactics207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiPJgCJvIn
were disgraceful.
Each of them wore black pants and a black tank top. They were given jackets, not as nice as full Blades, but207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSwTbJhnD8
functional. They had to earn the privilege of wearing them which would only207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn46fgvtXs
happen once they proved themselves worth. In the meantime, their jackets were207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5uclbaEHx
shit brown with green arm bands on the left arm marking their status as207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgamdbOyZJC
recruits. Instead of swords, they were given lumps of iron that were the same207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DppFws151
length and shape, but twice as heavy. They would earn the swords once they207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EhxTQbptl
became full Blades.
“At this point in time you are the halfway mark of your training.” Vander waited for their cheers to die down207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DUrshnzXG
before continuing. “However, Alex is not happy with your progress. What should207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDayKeV7Ze8
we do to see if he is right?” Chicken and Forest hung their heads, but Eve207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliUIz4UOHc
fired back with an answer.
“How about we fight him?” she suggested. “All we’ve done is fight each other while he sits on the sidelines207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEFIb7Emj8
judging us. Let us prove ourselves.” The others perked up at the idea. While he207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzhZEXUA6a
didn’t show it, Vander was happy with her proposal.
“What do you think?” He turned towards his friend. If Alex was surprised, he didn’t show it. It was how their group207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYttFHyAET2
decided to prove to their mentor they were ready. They were beaten quickly, but207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefHKmp4WTO
if anything, that made their passions burn hotter. It was a good lesson for207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GOvE4aS9a
them, and it would be a good lesson for these recruits as well.
“I’m down, but don’t come crying to me when you lose.” Alex growled.
“I have a better idea though.” Vander removed his jacket before handing it to Alex. “How about the five of you fight207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbOxexzlfr
me? I want to see how much you all have improved.”
“Do we get something if we win?” Briar asked. “Otherwise, it won’t be fun for us. I’d rather get beaten up trying to207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p5HMuPKFW
get something than nothing at all.”
“Do the rest of you agree?” They all looked at each other then nodded their heads. Vander thought for a moment207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhhgylHLU5
before an idea popped into his head. “How about this: If anyone one of you207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQPwiOTfj4
manage to beat me, I will treat you to dinner when we get back to the city,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkcnzS662l
which will include drinks.”
“Aw yeah!” They got their feet and cheered. The food in Eluvia was much better than the food they had out here.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcbfYdpGOF
The fact they wouldn’t have to pay was just a bonus.
“Settle down!” Vander shouted over them. “If you want a wager, there must be something in it for me as well. If I beat you, you will go207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTEWjpw43z
for a run in the forest with twenty pounds added to your packs.”
“Anything but that.” Rooster groaned.
“Come on,” Vander grinned. “Out of all the things I could ask you to do, a run through the woods is small by207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLWya3pays
comparison.” The muttered to each other before finally relenting. The hope of a207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcffHfEoeu
solid meal on top of booze was enough for them to agree to the wager. What they207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxn18CABYf
didn’t know was that Vander was going to treat them anyway, but it wouldn’t be207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTszeSrEwle
good to tell them that now.
“Mind if I go first?” Rooster got up from his spot on the ground and went to stand in front of his mentor.
“What would you like to fight with?” Vander asked. “Swords, knives, fists? Take your pick, whatever you want.”
“Swords please.” Vander nodded to Alex who walked towards the fence where their weapons were hanging up. They didn’t207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnMBASB2aN
use normal weapons while sparring. Instead, they used weighted steal. The207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz20yxHgJ9i
approximate dimensions were the same, but the weight was doubled, and the edges207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbA0WKLsx5
were blunt. This way there would be no real injuries during practice, but they207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFSFR9LSrS
could still build muscle and train how to use them.
Alex handed one of the swords to Vander before crossing the field to hand the second to Rooster. He stood in207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAn8cyYhas
between them, off on the side, and raised his hand. “Begin!” He shouted.
Rooster being the plucky little kid he was, launched himself forward swinging the lump of metal aiming for Vander’s207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwTHGUIhkg
face. Vander brought his own weapons up, the clanging in his ear caused him to207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO0JA6Wxih
go deaf for a second. Using the kid’s momentum, Vander tripped him as he went207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmr6CIeNMsZ
past and cuffed him upside the head. Angrily, he righted himself and swung for207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO57Lj3y3m6
Vander’s ribs. He blocked the strike again using more force than was necessary.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ8csV1JnM
While Rooster was off balance, Vander tapped him three times: once on the arm,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6DM5bHw4U
once on the leg and once in the ribs. Rooster dropped to one knee his face207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8qsP6DJly
flushed with anger.
“Swings are wide, and you rush in when you should be a little more cautious.” Vander said. He held out his hand which207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhvKeGJ8ew
the young man took after a couple seconds. “With a little more practice, you’ll207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZcvU15gJJ
make a good swordsman. Now grab your weights and sit with the others.” Grumbling,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeQTn5RV0Y
he stalked over to where the weights were, grabbed a couple, and went back to207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyU0b9KsPs
his spot on the ground.
Chicken shook her head which didn’t really surprise him. She wasn’t much of a fighter preferring the safety of207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI7G2R5xNT
books and paper. They could always use more administrators within the Blades,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ10c3mG2V
but she still had to learn to defend herself. She walked over to grab her own207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DOm8uqkHM
weights and sat down next to her brother.
“Do you mind if we come at you together?” Briar and Forest asked. That was surprise to him as he didn’t think207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V6dWUYVlv
the two of them ever got along, at least not while he was paying attention.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkte6RQxxj7
Perhaps they would surprise him so he would allow it this time.
“What weapons would you like to use?” The two of them looked at each other before nodding.
“Bare hands.” A surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Vander stripped off his jacket and tossed it to Alexander. The207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd3mITYt3Q
cool breeze felt good on his bare arms. He stretched a little bit while keeping207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2qznjjGOU
an eye on his two challengers. If they were nervous, they did their best not to207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtDjshxIyM
show it. However, he could see their fists clenching in anticipation. He stood207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0RAk7ffyh
at attention then smiled.
“Whenever you’re ready.” Forest and Briar raced off in opposite directions trying to get him in a pincer movement. While he was focused on one, the other could take his back and grapple him before he had a chance to defend himself. So, he did what anyone in his position would do, he struck first. He went after Forest because he was the strongest of the two. He must not have expected the attacked because he barely had time to defending himself from the punch Vander threw at him. Forest blocked directing the strike away, but it clipped his ear. He stumbled sideways clutching the side of his head. Vander grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him in front as Briar came in with own punch. She collided with Forest and knocked him to the ground.
“I’m so sorry.” Briar gasped. She held her hand to her mouth as she watched Forest struggle to his feet.
“You shouldn’t take your eyes off your opponent.” Vander whispered in her ear. She spun around to hit him but was too207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P9NKd6s60
slow. He punched in the stomach causing her to double over in pain. Then he207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfaWLYmk9b
finished her with a punch to the jaw knocking her to the ground.
“Briar!” Forest struggled to his feet. Vander kicked him in the ribs knocking him back down.
“If they two of you are going to be worried about each other during a fight, you leave yourselves open.” Vander207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfx8Txso9i
explained. “Trust the person watching your back or you’ll both just get in each207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2abaOSCwfH
other’s way. Next time come at me one at a time so I can gauge your true207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o5YbDTA70
skills. Now get your weights and join the others.” Forest and Briar helped each207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWVcHh8No2
other over to the rack before collapsing on the ground. The injuries they207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcMysyOFdG
sustained would last a few days. It would be a painful lesson for them.
“This makes it my turn.” Eve got up from the ground and brushed off her pants. She walked over to the rack then207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuI1nmOdN9
picked out two daggers to use. The daggers were her go-to weapon of choice.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65UfJ20m3F
There wasn’t a day that passed where she didn’t practice with them. She twirled207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqCK9sM7gd
them around in between her fingers and clasped one in an over handgrip and the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX6CtCHSRH
other in an underhand grip.
“Would you like me to use daggers as well?” Vander asked.
“Use whatever makes you comfortable.” She shrugged. He rolled his shoulders and motioned for her to come at him. She207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jWs5dvvj8
didn’t hesitate to rise to the challenge.
The fight was quick and brutal. She was quick with the slashes, but as they were lumps of metal, they didn’t really207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoYXTawpRL
draw too much blood, but even if they were, the cuts would have been shallow at207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdZz5u5f5w
best. The best way to deal with someone using daggers to fight is by guiding207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQL95SpsuI
their weapons away from the body using a towel or anything to keep the edge207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC87yJ5uiNJ
away. Daggers, like fists, were an intimate way to try and kill someone.
As Eve stabbed down with a dagger, Vander brought his arm up to block the strike. At the same time, she stabbed up207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkisiIb6vBE
with the second trying to get him in the stomach. He grabbed her wrist with his207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGQQdWEqx3
second hand. As the two of them struggled, she brought her knee up to try and207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8jkibk0i7
weaken him, but he blocked with his leg. The impact jarred him, but not enough207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIVp4D7MAN
to weaken his grasp. He snaked his hand around her wrist and squeezed. He207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXFMhbamCf
twisted her arms together until she screamed and dropped both weapons. She207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFnnkrBHkl
brought her head back then slammed it into Vander’s face.
He felt his nose crunch under the blood. He stumbled backwards clutching his hand over his gushing nose. Between207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAqGd1MptT
the tears, he saw Eve scoop up her daggers and charge at him. He reached for207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TJct3e81s
his sword, but it wasn’t there. He had forgotten he didn’t take it with him207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxpAnYsIAx
when he left his room. With a cry off annoyance, he bent down and grabbed Eve207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iv15Htydi
around the waist knocking the air from her lungs. Using the weight of his body,207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsfjrHatYe
he slammed her down onto the ground. The daggers flew from her grasp. He207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZyRRbSkXQ
grabbed both wrists then pinned them above her head. She thrashed on the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnG87hXQDI
ground, but he was heavier and stronger than she was.
“I yield.” She gasped. Vander got up off her and took the handkerchief Alex offered him to staunch his bleeding207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdknAUzzIv4
nose.
“Clean yourself off and get to your run.” His voice sounded bubbly due to holding his nose, but the recruits knew207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD3TPVq3V3
not to disobey him. He watched as they got to their feet and within a few207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWSz4XzmOn
minutes they were gone.
“She almost had you.” Alex grabbed Vander’s shoulder. “Are you alright.” He wiped his nose then shot a wad of207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEuQhS0BDu
blood out onto the grass.
“I’m lucky I have more experience with these kinds of fights.” He explained. “In a few more years she would have207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzxh2nbv4y
caused me problems.”
“We good crop, but I’m worried about them. Rooster is strong, but is worried about his sister, Chicken doesn’t care207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY52GsMsqH
about fighting and Forest and Briar are more worried about each other than207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdtLwMshFP
fighting.” Alex explained. “It’s a mess.”
“Eve is the strongest of the group, but I’ve seen the way she looks at them. Seems she thinks they are dead weight.207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe0mgVNHKu
We need to bring them together.” Vander sighed. “We can come up with something207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLlUIf2MW2
later, I need to wash up and get the blood off my face.” He turned towards the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAMUlAXbty
slumbering wolf. He let out a low whistle. A few seconds later she sleepily207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEX2trLrJk
perked her head up. “Watch them.” She gave him a toothy yawn but rolled to her207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoypwkYyw5v
feet before trotting after the recruits.
“I’ll get lunch ready.” The two of them went their separate ways.
After Vander washed his face and changed his clothes, he sat down in his chair willing himself to relax. In the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQt5hOo5X5
short time they had been here the group had become closer, but to their207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfrfQbcbmj
detriment. They couldn’t get out of each other’s way long enough to improve. He207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZYQithfow
would have to do something to fix that. As he sat there pondering, he heard the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09TRIdyBZf
recruits coming back from their run and collapsing on the ground. Shea pushed207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYZgeQZEhO
open the door then jumped onto the bed to curl up and go to sleep.
As he sat watching her, he remembered the letter from his grandfather that had come earlier. Grabbed his knife, he207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQcDTH8XFF
cut open the top and pulled out the letter. He recognized the writing instantly207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoooiaPlPQe
as his grandfathers. It read:
Vander,
I need you and Alexander back in the city207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tRmcWOX1U
within the next couple of days. I know you have another six months left in the207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjMMMHdGlg
woods, but it cannot be helped. I can’t explain everything to you in this207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8HEu1QdkZ
letter, but I promise we will sit down and talk when you arrive back. Please207Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vWXCgqMxS
trust me on this, come back.
-Your grandfather, Charles
P.S. This is a Red Alert.
Once he read the Red Alert, he knew that it was an emergency. Only a couple of things would warrant his grandfather putting that in a letter recalling him and none of it was good. The rest of the letter didn’t matter to him. He crumbled it up and slipped it into his pocket. He rushed outside to call the others to him.
They would have to leave tomorrow.
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and then Add to home screen.